By Molly Hart
There is something incredibly satisfying about watching a picture emerge stitch by stitch. This Pixel Heart Crochet Mug Rug combines the trendy look of pixel art with the cozy, practical nature of a handmade coaster. Whether you are making a quick gift for a loved one or adding a pop of color to your own desk, this little project is as fun to make as it is to use.
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Perfect for confident beginners, this pattern serves as a gentle introduction to tapestry crochet. By using basic single crochet stitches and carrying your unused yarn inside the work, you will create a thick, absorbent fabric that protects your surfaces while looking adorable. Best of all, it works up in under an hour!
Quick Stats:
- Skill Level: Easy
- Finished Size: 6.25 × 5.5 inches
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton, approx. 65 yards total
- Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm)
Scroll down for the complete free pattern, complete with stitch counts at the end of every single row!
What You’ll Need
To get the best results for a mug rug, I highly recommend using 100% cotton yarn. Cotton is naturally absorbent, heat-resistant, and won’t melt under a hot mug of coffee like acrylic yarn can.
- Yarn: Worsted (4) weight cotton yarn in two colors
- Main Color (MC): Cream or White — approx. 45 yards
- Contrasting Color (CC): Red or Pink — approx. 20 yards
- Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
- Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, and a measuring tape
- Gauge: 16 sts × 18 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Tips Before You Start
- Tapestry Crochet Basics: When working with two colors, lay the unused strand of yarn flat along the top of your previous row. Insert your hook into the next stitch, making sure your hook goes over the unused strand, and crochet your stitch as normal. This hides the unused yarn inside the fabric.
- Seamless Color Changes: To make your pixel edges crisp, always change colors on the last step of the previous stitch. When you have two loops left on your hook in the old color, drop it, pick up the new color, and pull through to finish the stitch.
- Keep Tension Relaxed: Tapestry crochet can sometimes cause your fabric to pull inward or become stiff. Keep your tension relaxed, and give your piece a gentle tug outward every few rows to keep it square.
- Reading the Pattern: Because you turn your work at the end of every row, odd rows are the Right Side (RS) and even rows are the Wrong Side (WS).
Pattern Instructions
Abbreviations
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
MC = Main Color
CC = Contrasting Color
Notes
- Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does NOT count as a stitch.
- Stitch counts are given in bold at the end of each row.
Foundation
With MC, ch 26.
Body
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 sts)
Rows 2-7: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (25 sts)
Row 8 (WS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 12 sts; with CC, sc in next st; with MC, sc in next 12 sts. (25 sts)
Row 9 (RS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 11 sts; with CC, sc in next 3 sts; with MC, sc in next 11 sts. (25 sts)
Row 10 (WS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 10 sts; with CC, sc in next 5 sts; with MC, sc in next 10 sts. (25 sts)
Row 11 (RS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 9 sts; with CC, sc in next 7 sts; with MC, sc in next 9 sts. (25 sts)
Row 12 (WS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 8 sts; with CC, sc in next 9 sts; with MC, sc in next 8 sts. (25 sts)
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Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 7 sts; with CC, sc in next 11 sts; with MC, sc in next 7 sts. (25 sts)
Row 14 (WS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 6 sts; with CC, sc in next 13 sts; with MC, sc in next 6 sts. (25 sts)
Row 15 (RS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 5 sts; with CC, sc in next 15 sts; with MC, sc in next 5 sts. (25 sts)
Rows 16-18: Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 4 sts; with CC, sc in next 17 sts; with MC, sc in next 4 sts. (25 sts)
Row 19 (RS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 5 sts; with CC, sc in next 7 sts; with MC, sc in next 1 st; with CC, sc in next 7 sts; with MC, sc in next 5 sts. (25 sts)
Row 20 (WS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 6 sts; with CC, sc in next 5 sts; with MC, sc in next 3 sts; with CC, sc in next 5 sts; with MC, sc in next 6 sts. (25 sts)
Row 21 (RS): Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in next 7 sts; with CC, sc in next 3 sts; with MC, sc in next 5 sts; with CC, sc in next 3 sts; with MC, sc in next 7 sts. (25 sts)
Rows 22-25: Ch 1, turn. With MC, sc in each st across. (25 sts)
Finishing
- Fasten off and weave in all ends securely on the wrong side of the work.
- Blocking: Cotton yarn benefits greatly from blocking. Lightly mist your mug rug with water, pin it flat to a 6.25 × 5.5 inch rectangle on a blocking mat, and allow it to dry completely. This will ensure your pixel heart looks perfectly square.
- Optional Fringe: Cut 20 strands of MC yarn, each about 4 inches long. Attach 10 strands evenly along the left edge and 10 strands along the right edge using a simple larks head knot. Trim the fringe evenly to about 1 inch long.
Make It Your Own
- Color Variations: Swap the red heart for a rainbow of colors! Make a set of four mug rugs, each featuring a different colored heart (pink, blue, yellow, and green) on a crisp white background.
- Wall Hanging: Want to display your pixel art? Skip the fringe, attach a wooden dowel to the top edge using a whipstitch, and tie a piece of twine to either end of the dowel to hang it on the wall.
- Bigger Pixels: If you want a larger placemat instead of a mug rug, hold two strands of worsted weight yarn together and use a larger hook (like a US K/10.5 or 6.5 mm). The math stays exactly the same, but the finished piece will be much larger!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use acrylic yarn for this pattern?
While you can use acrylic yarn, I don’t recommend it for mug rugs. Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that can melt or warp under the heat of a hot coffee mug. It also isn’t very absorbent if your drink sweats. Stick to 100% cotton or a cotton-linen blend for the best results.
Why is my mug rug curling at the edges?
Tapestry crochet naturally creates a denser, tighter fabric because you are crocheting over a second strand of yarn. If your edges are curling, your tension might be a bit too tight. Try going up half a hook size, and remember that blocking will fix minor curling!
Is this pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes! If you know how to chain and single crochet, you can make this pattern. The only new skill you’ll need to practice is changing colors and crocheting over the unused yarn, which is a fantastic technique to add to your crochet toolbox.
I would absolutely love to see your finished pixel heart mug rugs! Tag me on Instagram or share your photos in our crafting Facebook group.
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